Usc Coach Fired

Notebook

February 8, 1996

WITH MORE victories than last season and recent encouragement from the university president, Charlie Parker thought he had Southern California's basketball program headed in the right direction. Parker was stunned to find out otherwise Wednesday when he was fired as coach and replaced on an interim basis by assistant Henry Bibby. ''No reasons were given to me,'' Parker said at his modest home near campus. ''My surprise stems from the fact that I received high compliments from several of my colleagues in the Pac-10 about the performance of the Trojan basketball team so far this season.'' The Trojans have an 11-10 record, but have lost nine of the past 14. They are sixth in the Pacific 10 Conference with a 4-5 record. The team went 7-21 and lost its final 14 games last season.

As a result of the firing, it may cost the Trojans a top football recruit. Na'il Diggs, a highly touted defensive end out of Dorsey High in Los Angeles, said he is reconsidering his decision to play for USC after his brother-in-law was fired.

FAMU'S ROBINSON NAMED

JAFONDE WILLIAMS of Hampton and Cathy Robinson of Florida A&M have earned player of the week honors in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Williams, the nation's leading scorer, had 65 points in two games, 43 of them in an overtime loss to Maine. In a victory over Liberty, he had 12 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals. Robinson had 48 points and 38 rebounds in two victories. She is the school's all-time leading scorer.